AnnouncementMeet the 22 innovators selected for the inaugural Future Frontier cohortRead more
Illume Ventures

FUTURE FRONTIER · VICTORIA'S AI & DEEP-TECH PRE-ACCELERATOR · 10-WEEK PROGRAM

Building the next generation of AI & frontier technology founders.

Future Frontier helps researchers, scientists and founders turn AI focused deep-tech ideas into real-world applications and investible ventures.  Delivered in partnership with Monash AI Institute and supported by Innovation Victoria.

Express your interestJoin as Investor

University Partnership

Delivered with Monash AI Institute  — world-class AI research and infrastructure.

Proven Exit

Our team members have founded 3 AI startups+ 1 Exit, acquired by the largest insurer in Asia.

Investor Experience

We’ve been on the other side of the table, as former investor in Breakthrough Victoria and Airtree Explorer.

Startup Accelerator Experience

​Delivered by the team that led University of Melbourne's MAP Program.

Our Partners

OUR PARTNERS

Monash AI InstituteInnovation VictoriaSOSVEcotone PartnersIllume FoundationMonash AI InstituteInnovation VictoriaSOSVEcotone PartnersIllume Foundation

Why Illume Ventures

Bridging research, innovation and venture creation.

Through Future Frontier, we partner with universities, investors and industry leaders to help researchers and founders transform breakthrough ideas into globally relevant companies- combining startup methodologies, investors perspectives and world-class research capabilities.

Why Future Frontier

We built this from experience. 

After working with over 300+ founders and researchers, we repeatedly saw that building ventures take a different mindset and a community that supports them. We're helping you build that.

What sets it apart isn't just the curriculum — it's the people in the room. When you're stuck on a hard call — is this market real, is the investor right, should I keep building — you'll be talking to people who made those exact decisions, with real stakes.

3 AI startups+ 1 Exit

Founded by program team members

~$10M

Raised for startup and research commercialisation

300+

Founders & researchers supported

20+ Years

AI research and commercialisation experience

Team

Meet the people you'll be working with.

Program Team

The team designing and delivering the program.

Laxmi Pun

Laxmi Pun

Founder & Program Director, Illume Ventures

MBA, CPA · Former Investor, Breakthrough Victoria

Ran the University of Melbourne MAP Accelerator Program — supporting 300+ startups that raised $150M+. Ex-Investment Director at Breakthrough Victoria, specialising in university spinouts and deep-tech ventures. Trained 200+ founders and researchers with roles at Startupbootcamp and Villgro India. Launched two talent development programs- Illume Foundation & The Talent Institute (SBC).

LinkedIn →
Ulyana Kondratova

Ulyana Kondratova

Program Team, Illume Ventures

Bachelor of Medical Sciences / Doctor of Medicine (4th year), Monash University · Medical Advisor, Monash Automation

Medical student at Monash University, passionate about revolutionising healthcare through technology.

LinkedIn →

Monash AI Institute

Our academic partners in AI and deep-tech.

Prof. Shonali Krishnaswamy

Prof. Shonali Krishnaswamy

Director, Monash AI Institute

PhD (AI) · Professor of Machine Learning · Exited Founder

Former co-founder of exited AIDA Technologies — whose AI platform now processes the majority of individual health insurance claims in Singapore (acquired by AIA, Asia's largest insurer). Led A*STAR's 70-person Data Analytics team. 20+ years bridging AI research and commercialisation. Leads curriculum design and delivery.

LinkedIn →
Dr. Jyoti Joshi Dhall

Dr. Jyoti Joshi Dhall

Entrepreneurship Lead, Monash AI Institute

PhD (AI), Founder, Kroop AI, Monash AI Institute

Founded Kroop AI, a deep-tech startup focused on synthetic media detection and AI trust. Supported through Google for Startups, AWS Startup Spotlight, and NVIDIA Inception. Works at the intersection of AI research, commercialisation and venture creation. Co-leads AI entrepreneurship initiatives at Monash University.

LinkedIn →

Venture Leads

Experienced operators supporting the cohort.

Merida Sussex

Merida Sussex

Co-founder & CEO, Envoke Network (MetaGen)

Founder, Stolen Recordings · Co-founder, Music Technology Australia

Co-founder and CEO of Envoke Network, the company behind MetaGen, a provenance-first metadata and creator identity platform for the music industry. She also runs Stolen Recordings, an independent UK record label and AIM member, and sits on WIPO's AI and IP Technical Exchange Network and the UK IPO's Metadata Education working group. She operates across Melbourne and the UK.

LinkedIn →
Liz Davis

Liz Davis

Founder & Leadership Development Specialist

MBA, BSci · Change Management · VC Investment Fellow

Over a decade of experience across founder-led ventures, government and universities, specialising in leadership development, capability building and coaching people through change and ambiguity. She has lived the founder journey inside a MedTech venture and holds an MBA, BSci, change management qualifications and a VC investment fellowship.

LinkedIn →
Dr. William Korim

Dr. William Korim

Commercialisation Fellow / Entrepreneur in Residence

PhD (Neuroscience), Entrepreneurship Masters- University of Melbourne

Formal training in research translation and commercialisation. His experience spans design and data collection for commercialisation and business development across hard and medical science. Raised over AUD 1.5M in institutional, philanthropic, and government funding, and has navigated IP, market positioning, and university-incubated startup structures. With multiple indexed peer-reviewed publications, he understands the balance between translation and academic output.

LinkedIn →

Who It's For

The strongest ventures need both breakthroughs and market insight.

For Researchers/Scientists

You have breakthrough research. You're not sure how to make it a venture. 

For Founders

You have market insights or you're building an AI product. You want to build it right.

If you are a professional and keen to gain deep-tech experience, you can apply as a Venture Fellow.

The Program

Ten weeks. Hybrid format. Built to complement your full-time research/study/work.

5–7 hours per week across sessions, mentoring and independent work. Key in-person events include an Industry Mixer and the Future Pioneers Showcase at program end.

Program Journey

From first idea to venture-ready.

WEEK 0
Bootcamp

Orientation, frameworks and cohort kickoff.

Weeks 1–3
Discover

Problem definition, customer discovery and market validation.

Weeks 4–6
Test

Solution architecture, MVP direction and ethical AI framework.

Weeks 7–10
Build + Fund

Go-to-market, business model and investor-ready narrative.

END OF PROGRAM
Future Pioneers 

Showcase event with investors, partners and industry.

FUTURE FRONTIER PROGRAM DETAILS

AI & Deep-Tech Pre-Accelerator

In partnership with Monash AI Institute · Funded by Innovation Victoria

Cohort
Cohort 1 — 2026
Duration
10 weeks + post-program
Dates
4 Sept 2026 – 13 Nov 2026
Format
Hybrid · 2 hrs per week online + 3 in-person events
Cohort Size
20-25 participants
Location
Victoria, Australia
Program Kick-off
4 Sept 2026 (full-day, in-person)
Industry Mixer
29 Sept 2026, 5–8pm (in-person)
End of Program Showcase
End of Nov-TBD (in-person)
Stage
Research/idea/Pre-seed / concept stage 
Sectors
AI, deep-tech, research spinouts

Selection: Future Frontier is a selective program with limited grant funded places available in each cohort. Admission is based on the strength of your technology or research, commitment to commercialisation, and potential to create real-world impact.

Participant Contribution
Successful Victoria-based applicants receive Innovation Victoria grant funded places and contribute $500 toward the program. Limited fully funded places are available for eligible Victoria-based current PhD researchers and students requiring financial support.

Express your interest

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN

More than a pitch deck.

Understand how to translate AI and deep-tech idea/research into practical applications, product opportunities and venture creation. Explore, validate and build the foundations of a frontier technology venture.

Commercial Clarity

Understand whether your technology has a meaningful market opportunity.

A clear AI solution pathway

Build AI solutions with responsible deployment, trust and real-world adoption in mind. 

Customer Insight

Validate who needs your technology and why

Venture Pathway

Understand possible commercial pathways, business models and next steps.

Founder Readiness

Develop the mindset, skills and relationships required to pursue a deep-tech venture.

Community Support

Receive on-going support as part of Illume's Venture Builder Community. 

VENTURE FELLOWS

Experience the deep-tech venture world from the inside.

A selective 8-week fellowship where commercially minded professionals work alongside AI and deep-tech founders on customer discovery, market validation and venture strategy. Successful applicants receive complimentary access to the Future Frontier program and are matched with a venture for the duration of the fellowship. This is a non-salaried fellowship.

Apply as Venture Fellow

For Investors

Early access to Victoria's most promising AI & deep-tech ventures.

Visibility into deep-tech opportunities from Australia's leading research institutions before they reach the broader market.

Investor-Expression of Interest

FAQs

Common questions.

Who is this program designed for?+

Researchers exploring spinouts, aspiring founders with an AI product idea, and experienced professionals applying as Industry Fellows. You do not need an existing company.

Do you take equity or IP?+

No. Future Frontier does not take equity or intellectual property from participants.

Do I need a co-founder or team?+

No. Solo founders and individual researchers are welcome. The cohort itself is often where future co-founder relationships begin.

What's the time commitment?+

5–7 hours per week across sessions, mentoring and independent work, plus key in-person events.

How is this different from other programs?+

Curriculum and mentorship come from active AI entrepreneurs and PhDs with real exits and investment experience — not generalist coaches.

What is a Venture Fellow?+

An experienced professional (3+ years) embedded with a cohort startup to contribute expertise and explore entrepreneurship without founding their own company.

Do I need to be affiliated with Monash University for the program?+

No, this program is university and sector agnostic.

More FAQs →

Applications

Express your interest for next cohort.

The inaugural Future Frontier cohort is now closed. Express your interest for next cohort.

Express your interest →

Stay Informed

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Get updates on program dates, deep-tech venture insights, and news from the Illume Ventures ecosystem.

Subscribe on Substack

No spam. Unsubscribe at any time. We respect your privacy.